Rafters Partner With Skyward for Fifth Annual Teacher of the Year Essay Contest

Students and Parents Are Encouraged to Nominate a Teacher Who Has Had an Impact in Their Education

WISCONSIN RAPIDS -The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters and Skyward are continuing their long-held partnership to hold Educator’s Appreciation Night at Witter Field in 2018. As part of the evening, the Rafters and Skyward will honor one area teacher as the Skyward Central Wisconsin Teacher of the Year. The selected teacher will have a bobblehead created of their likeness, which will be added to the newly minted Skyward Central Wisconsin Teacher of the Year Bobblehead Wall of Fame at Witter Field next season. The honoree will also receive a bobblehead and be invited to Educator’s Appreciation Night, where they will be recognized on the field prior to the Rafters game by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. In addition, the chosen teacher and their family will receive free tickets to attend the game, courtesy of Skyward.

Past recipients of the Skyward Central Wisconsin Teacher of the Year award include: Mrs. Cathy Tritz of Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School, Mr. Bill Oswald of Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle School, Ms. Jessica Fischer of Ben Franklin Junior High in Stevens Point, Mr. Scott Sigourney of Woodside Elementary, and Mr. Adam Klonowski of Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids.

“Teachers have the power to inspire, educate, and shape the lives of students both throughout the world and right here in central Wisconsin,” said Cliff King, CEO of Skyward. “By partnering with the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters we can recognize the important role they play each and every day in shaping student success.”

In preparation for next year’s event, the Rafters encourage all students to nominate a teacher who has made a positive impact on their life and deserves to be recognized as the Skyward Central Wisconsin Teacher of the Year. Students, K-12, as well as parents and guardians are invited to participate by submitting an essay (Criteria: 300 words or less, single spaced, 12 font):

The essay submission should explain why the nominated teacher is most deserving of the recognition and is due Friday, Dec. 1st, 2017 by 5:00 p.m. The essay must include the author’s home address and phone number at the top of the page, to allow Rafters staff an opportunity to notify them if their nominated teacher was selected. Any student who writes an essay nominating the winning teacher will receive four (4) tickets to Educator’s Appreciation Night, Rafters mock jersey, and an autographed baseball from the 2018 Rafters team!

The Rafters will announce the date of Educator’s Appreciation Night along with a full listing of the 2018 promotional schedule in the spring. The Rafters Front Office and Rafthouse Team Shop is open all offseason Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm.